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Elevated Plasma microRNA-206 Levels Predict Cognitive Decline and Progression to Dementia from Mild Cognitive

Aidan Kenny1, Hazel McArdle2, Miguel Calero3,4

  • 1Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.

Biomolecules
|November 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Blood microRNAs show promise as early Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers. MicroRNA-206 levels in plasma can predict cognitive decline and dementia progression in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is crucial but lacks practical biomarkers.
  • Blood-based microRNAs offer a potential avenue for non-invasive diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate plasma microRNAs as prognostic biomarkers for AD.
  • To develop and utilize an electrochemical microfluidic device for microRNA detection.

Main Methods:

  • MicroRNA profiling of plasma from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD patients.
  • Validation of specific microRNAs (Let-7b, microRNA-206) using quantitative methods.
  • Detection of microRNA-206 in unprocessed plasma via a novel microfluidic device.

Main Results:

  • Elevated levels of Let-7b in MCI and microRNA-206 in AD were observed.
  • MicroRNA-206 strongly correlated with cognitive decline and memory deficits.
  • Increased microRNA-206 levels preceded dementia onset in longitudinal studies.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma Let-7b may identify MCI patients.
  • Plasma microRNA-206 can predict cognitive decline and progression to dementia in MCI.
  • Microfluidic-based microRNA quantification offers a cost-effective tool for patient stratification and risk assessment for AD.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseasemicroRNAmicrofluidic deviceprodromalprognosis

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